The measure passed 400-175, which is a sizeable majority for the measure. About half of the Tories voted for the measure, and half voted against it.

The bill still needs to pass through the anacronistic and undemocratic House of Lords, but some say that with this kind of majority there won't be that much of an issue. Or there may be. I don't know. Trying to predict the Lords is like trying to predict tea-leaves.

The bill still needs to pass through the anacronistic and undemocratic House of Lords, but some say that with this kind of majority there won't be that much of an issue. Or there may be. I don't know. Trying to predict the Lords is like trying to predict tea-leaves.

The Lords -- even supposing a majority are against it, which is questionable -- won't vote down a bill with the support of all mainstream parties and a 400-175 majority, as they would likely be slitting their own throats. And if they did, the Commons would probably invoke the Parliament Act (1949), which would mean the bill becoming law after a delay of one year.

The Lords -- even supposing a majority are against it, which is questionable -- won't vote down a bill with the support of all mainstream parties and a 400-175 majority, as they would likely be slitting their own throats. And if they did, the Commons would probably invoke the Parliament Act (1949), which would mean the bill becoming law after a delay of one year.

Conveniently, it apparently takes about a year to plan a big fancy wedding.

A concern would be if Cameron decides it's too much hassle and the fight would take up too much Parliamentary time. He could get the Bill withdrawn. In fact, I think that's quite likely. Number of liberal social bills passed by Tory governments over the years = not very many.

A concern would be if Cameron decides it's too much hassle and the fight would take up too much Parliamentary time. He could get the Bill withdrawn. In fact, I think that's quite likely. Number of liberal social bills passed by Tory governments over the years = not very many.

I don't think he'll do that; it would make him look weak. (He is weak, but he hates to look it.)

Will I get in trouble if I post a very relevant Jesus and Mo comic here?

__________________Destiny Deceived - Internet serial story. Written by one of the best writers I have ever been.

"Having been an English literary graduate, I've been trying to avoid the idea of doing art ever since. I think the idea of art kills creativity. I think media are at their most interesting before anybody's thought of calling them art, when people still think they're just a load of junk."Douglas Adams

Also relevant - the Guardian has a full list of how every MP voted. Mine was against. Might be arsed to go and vote against him next chance I get now...

__________________Destiny Deceived - Internet serial story. Written by one of the best writers I have ever been.

"Having been an English literary graduate, I've been trying to avoid the idea of doing art ever since. I think the idea of art kills creativity. I think media are at their most interesting before anybody's thought of calling them art, when people still think they're just a load of junk."Douglas Adams

So...can someone explain why it's a UK governmental body making this vote, but it only affects people in England and Wales? I tried to look it up but I didn't really succeed.

UK has had civil unions for same-sex couples since 2004. Feel worse?

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own devolved parliaments that handle this issue. Scotland will have same sex marriage probably at about the same time. Northern Ireland will probably take another decade to get it.

The powers over the issue are devolved to these other local parliaments, and the Westminster Parliament could - on this issue - be seen as another local parliament for England and Wales.

To even FURTHER confuse the issue, because the English do like their odd procedures and administrative orders (which is another thing to like about them), there is a local parliament in Wales. However, that local parliament has different devolved powers than the local parliament in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own devolved parliaments that handle this issue. Scotland will have same sex marriage probably at about the same time. Northern Ireland will probably take another decade to get it.

The powers over the issue are devolved to these other local parliaments, and the Westminster Parliament could - on this issue - be seen as another local parliament for England and Wales.

To even FURTHER confuse the issue, because the English do like their odd procedures and administrative orders (which is another thing to like about them), there is a local parliament in Wales. However, that local parliament has different devolved powers than the local parliament in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

So, does the UK Parliament have elected officials from Scotland and N.I. in it? And is this like in the US how some things are for state govt to decide, and others are for national govt to decide? You're right, this is confusing.

So, does the UK Parliament have elected officials from Scotland and N.I. in it? And is this like in the US how some things are for state govt to decide, and others are for national govt to decide? You're right, this is confusing.

__________________Destiny Deceived - Internet serial story. Written by one of the best writers I have ever been.

"Having been an English literary graduate, I've been trying to avoid the idea of doing art ever since. I think the idea of art kills creativity. I think media are at their most interesting before anybody's thought of calling them art, when people still think they're just a load of junk."Douglas Adams